Washington State, Pacific Northwest Lashed By Storm, More Bad Weather Expected

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a winter storm warning for Washington starting Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning.

According to their official website, heavy snow accumulations of one to two feet will fall above 3500 feet through Tuesday afternoon with the heaviest amounts at Mount Baker and Mount Rainier. Heavy snow is likely to be expected throughout Tuesday night and is expected to continue until Wednesday morning with another one to two feet of snow. The snow level is expected to be around 3000 to 3500 feet.

The cascades of Whatcom, Skagit, Pierce, and Lewis counties are likely to be hit by the storm. This also includes the Mount Baker Highway, the road to Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park, White Pass, and Crystal Mountain Boulevard.

The NWS has urged people to be prepared for difficult or even hazardous driving conditions with heavy snow and reduced visibilities at times. They have also warned of the possibilities of traffic delays and road closures.

Meanwhile, another storm is expected to hit the Pacific Northwest late Tuesday and will continue through Wednesday. According to the NWS, between Nov. 14 to Nov. 16, a strong low-pressure system is forecast to move into the Pacific Northwest. With almost continuous onshore flow, heavy rain is expected at lower elevations in the west of the Cascades across the Pacific Northwest and northern California. The NWS also elucidated that high winds and heavy mountain snows will accompany this system. An extensive area of the offshore and coastal waters of Washington and Oregon has also been warned to have a storm and strong winds.

A weak front will pass through the Central Plains to the East Coast bringing light precipitation to a few areas. High pressure will build back into the region which will keep cooler than seasonal normal temperatures through at least midweek.

Meanwhile, according to the U.S. News, the NWS had issued a high wind warning Monday. Many areas saw gusts topping 60 mph (97 kph) with even stronger winds in north-central and northeastern Washington.

Thousands of people remained without power across Western Washington, including more than 46,000 in Seattle on Monday evening after a wind storm brought gusts up to 64mph and heavy rains to the region.

A large number of areas in Beacon Hill, West Seattle, Magnolia, Phinney Ridge, Laurelhurst, and North of Seattle suffered power cuts. The wind and rain also impacted the evening commute and a major slowdown was witnessed around the region.

According to ABC News, five people were injured and one woman was killed after a tree came crashing down on her car, according to the Renton Fire Department.